Player Profiles

Ajax have one of the most famous youth academies in the world. When they won the Champions League in 1995 they did so with many graduates such as Davids, Kluivert, Reiziger, van der Sar, Seedorf and the de Boer brothers. 22 years on and Ajax are on the verge of reaching another European final. Comparisons are being[…]

This summer several Premier League rivals are set to go head-to head for the Czech Republic’s latest talent. 21 year-old Patrik Schick has attracted interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs among others. The striker has impressed for Sampdoria in his debut season scoring 8 goals in 24 appearances despite only starting in 6 of those[…]

With Phillip Lahm set to retire this summer, and Dani Alves nearing the end of his career, there is a dearth of world class right-backs around European football. Juventus already have a potential successor to Alves on their books in Pol Lirola, and the early signs are he could become the next great right-back in[…]

One of the criticisms directed towards Paris Saint-Germain in recent seasons is that they haven’t given their young players a chance. This criticism only grew louder following the sale of academy graduate and captain, Mamadou Sakho, to Liverpool in 2013 for £18M. Since Sakho’s departure PSG went through a period of losing some of their best[…]

Manchester City made a surprise signing on transfer deadline day when they completed the signing of midfielder Yangel Clemente Herrera Ravelo from Atletico Venezuela. The 19-year-old defensive midfielder slipped under the radar of many and he was immediately sent out on loan to New York City. Herrera is currently starring for Venezuela in the South American Youth[…]

Some of England’s biggest club’s along with Juventus and Barcelona had been linked with Dayot Upamecano. However, the 18-year-old defender opted to join RB Leipzig from affiliate club, Red Bull Salzburg, for a fee in the region of £10M. This should come as no surprise to many observers as he is the ninth player to make[…]

To those from the outside looking in, Atalanta appear as one of Italian football’s lesser known clubs. Calcio is renowned for culture, history and tradition, but various issues within the sport, most notably match fixing and the general consensus of a defensive style making for less than entertaining spectacles, does not promise much for the[…]

It may not be the most glamorous position on the field, with strikers and attacking midfielders often stealing the glory, but no good side is complete without a top-class goalkeeper. Here are five of the best young emerging keepers in Europe… Gianluigi Donnarumma – AC Milan When given his senior debut by Sinisa Mihajlovic last[…]

Sporting CP is famous for the success of its academy. In the Euro 2016 final there were 11 players who participated in the match who were developed in the Sporting CP academy: only Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro, Eder and Renato Sanches have never been part of this club. Following on from the likes of Nani, Cristiano[…]